BANGLADESH DECLARATION OF DISASTER DUE TO CYCLONIC STORM AILA DATED MAY 28, 2009

UNCLAS DHAKA 000534


AIDAC

DCHA/OFDA FOR ROBERT THAYER

AID/W FOR AA MARGO ELLIS AND ANNE DIX DESK OFFICER, ANE/SAA

DEPT PASS TO SCA/EX

DEPT PASS TO SCA/INSB

DEPT PASS TO SCA ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE

DCHA/FFP FOR MATTHEW NIMS AND PAUL NOVICK

ROME FOR FODAG

BANGKOK FOR OFDA BILL BERGER AND RON LIBBY

FROM AMBASSADOR JAMES MORIARTY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAG: EAID, SOCI, PINR, PREL, BG
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH DECLARATION OF DISASTER DUE TO CYCLONIC STORM
AILA DATED MAY 28, 2009


1. Summary: Action Request: This cable declares a disaster in
Bangladesh as a result of the Cyclonic Storm Aila and requests USD
100,000 to furnish disaster assistance, which may include supplies
for shelter, water, food and relief supplies for the storm affected
areas of Bangladesh. End summary.


2. Disaster Assistance Request: I have determined a need to declare
a disaster and use the USD 50,000 US Ambassador's authority for
disaster assistance on the basis of information available to us at
this time, which suggests substantial impact on local populations.
Because of the unfortunate convergence of full moon, high tide and
concurrent arrival of the cyclonic storm and resultant high tidal
surge on highly vulnerable areas of Bangladesh on May 25-26 2009,
Mission requests additional USD 50,000 (totaling $100,000) in
disaster assistance funds for immediate emergency response. Funds
received are expected to be transferred to USAID partners CARE and
World Vision to expand emergency relief operations in the affected
coastal areas.


3. Cyclonic Storm Aila Impact: Cyclonic Storm Aila struck
Bangladesh coastal areas on May 25. This exposed stretch of
coastline was battered by heavy rains with average winds up to 90
kph (55 miles per hour),tracked close to the West Bengal-Khulna
border area near Sagar Island in West Bengal at around 2:00 pm on
May 25. The storm arrived at the same time as the full moon,
resulting in an enhanced high tide surging up to 12 feet above
predicted astronomical high tide, flooding coastal villages in the
southeast south, and southwest of Bangladesh and forcing thousands
of people to flee from their homes. Heavy rains triggered by the
storm raised river levels and helped to weaken and then burst mud
embankments and flooding homes. A preliminary report by the
Bangladesh Disaster Group (BDG) in the Ministry of Food and Disaster
Management indicates that over 100 lives were lost due to the storm
(newspaper accounts report over 200 lives were lost). Currently 14
districts in the southwest, south, and southeast of Bangladesh have
been affected. Many of those affected are among Bangladesh's most
vulnerable citizens.


4. Damage Assessment: USAID partners have reported that damage
assessments have been delayed due to communication outages and
washed out roads in the affected areas. Present reports indicate the
storm directly affected about 1 million people, damaging houses,
roads, embankments, water supply sources, crops, fish and shrimp
farms, trees, and drowning poultry and livestock, and bringing
closure of roadways, public transport and power connections in
affected coastal areas.


5. Government of Bangladesh (GOB) Efforts: The Minister of Food
and Disaster Management and his staff are personally assessing
damage in several affected areas. Local military units are engaged
in search and rescue operations with limited air and sea assets.
The GOB has allocated about 10,000 MT of food, 16 water purification
units, and $318,500 to the 14 affected districts. Additionally, the
GOB is providing dry food and clothing to local cyclone shelters as
part of its emergency response.


6. OFDA: Mission Disaster Relief Officer Walter Shepherd has
contacted and updated Bill Berger, OFDA Senior Regional Advisor on
the current situation occasioned by Cyclonic Storm Aila.


7. Disaster Declaration: I have determined that emergency
conditions exist in Bangladesh and that the damage resulting from

Cyclonic Storm Aila is of sufficient magnitude to warrant USG
disaster assistance. The disaster is currently beyond the ability
of the Bangladesh Government to respond, and the GOB has expressed
its willingness to accept USG assistance. Furthermore, I deem that
it is in the interest of the United States Government to provide
assistance to Cyclonic Storm Aila victims.


8. Action Requested: Please provide fund cite for requested
USD100,000 as quickly as possible.

MORIARTY